Jul 17 2009
Paper versus Electronic Media
I’ve recently started to dabble in social networking with Linked In. I’m quite behind the times right now without a Facebook or Twitter account, but you can see my Linked In profile here.
One of my LI groups is Girls Who Print, which is just a fun gathering of women from all areas of the print industry. One of the members posted a link to an article titled Electronic vs. Printed Communication: The Sustainability Battle, and I wanted to share it with you.
It makes some interesting arguments for printed media being greener than electronic. As a society, we have figured out how to make the paper industry more sustainable. From forest management and harvesting to manufacturing and recycling, the entire life cycle of paper can be environmentally responsible if you use the right kind of paper.
The argument against electronics is valid since the recyclability of the plastics is still being figured out. The petroleum-based plastic used for most computers does nothing to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels. Recycling old electronics is not an easy process in most communities, which leads to dumping the devices in landfills. Of course not all paper gets recycled either, but which of the two will biodegrade faster?
The article is a great thought-provoking read. I’d love to hear your thoughts!
Photo Credits: Flickr users lotyloty & blakespot; image created by me under CC license
